Ruth Cardinaels

A postdoctoral position is available in the group of Professor Ruth Cardinaels at KU Leuven, Belgium. The successful candidate will contribute to the ERC PEM-SPRINT project, which focuses on 3D printed metamaterials. This opportunity is ideal for researchers with interests in materials science, additive manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. KU Leuven is a leading European research university, and the project offers a collaborative environment at the intersection of advanced materials and engineering. The position is fully funded by the ERC PEM-SPRINT project. For more information about the research group and the vacancy, please refer to the provided LinkedIn links. Candidates are encouraged to review the vacancy details and apply as instructed. No specific eligibility requirements or application deadlines are mentioned in the announcement.

This postdoctoral position at KU Leuven offers an exciting opportunity to join the Soft Matter Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) section within the Chemical Engineering Department, under the supervision of Prof. Ruth Cardinaels. The SMaRT group is renowned for its experimental research focused on the design of intelligent processes and product formulations using complex fluids and soft matter. The group boasts state-of-the-art and custom-built facilities for characterizing mechanical properties in the liquid state, including both bulk and interfacial rheology, as well as advanced techniques for analyzing microstructure development during flow. The laboratory is equipped with a comprehensive suite of commercial and in-house adapted 3D printing devices, enabling innovative research at the intersection of materials science and engineering. The research project centers on generating novel soft matter structures using direct ink writing 3D printing, combined with microfluidic mixers and channels. The aim is to formulate material compositions for conductive inks, optimize their rheology, and fabricate and characterize 3D printed structures with targeted electromagnetic shielding functionalities. The project is part of an ERC-funded starting grant and involves collaboration with other researchers in the field. By blending polymers and incorporating conductive or magnetic nanoparticles, the research seeks to achieve multifunctional materials with properties determined by nanoparticle dispersion, phase morphology, and macrostructure. Applicants should hold a recent PhD in materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or a related discipline, and possess strong experimental and analytical skills. Experience in soft matter, rheology, 3D printing, and/or microfluidics is highly desirable. The position offers a competitive salary, health insurance, access to university sports facilities, and the opportunity to work in an international, innovative environment. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance. To apply, candidates should submit a CV, motivation letter, grade lists, and contact details for at least two referees via the KU Leuven online application tool. For further information, contact Prof. dr. Ruth Cardinaels at [email protected]. The position remains open until a suitable candidate is found, with a formal application deadline of January 16, 2026.

This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on the development of MXene-based interfaces and bijels for functional materials, specifically targeting applications in electromagnetic shielding. The research will be conducted within the Soft Matter Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) section of the Chemical Engineering Department, under the supervision of Prof. Ruth Cardinaels. The SMaRT group is renowned for its experimental research in complex fluids and soft matter, utilizing state-of-the-art and custom-built facilities for mechanical and microstructural characterization, including bulk and interfacial rheology, microscopy, and electromagnetic property analysis. The project aims to engineer hierarchically structured materials by selectively localizing nanoparticles at liquid-liquid interfaces, enabling tailored microstructures and particle organization. MXene-based bijels will be developed and studied for their electromagnetic shielding functionality. The research will involve a fundamental investigation of factors influencing bijel microstructure, such as temperature and external flow fields, and will explore the relationship between microstructure and electrical properties. The particle-filled interfaces are expected to provide both mechanical stability and electrically conductive pathways, with the project examining how formulation and processing conditions affect viscoelastic and dielectric properties. Key techniques include particle synthesis, rheology, microscopy, dielectric characterization, and electromagnetic shielding tests. The project will be carried out by two PhD researchers, one focusing on bulk bijel development and the other on MXene-covered interfaces. The ultimate goal is to deliver a demonstrator material for electromagnetic shielding based on the developed bijels. Applicants should hold or be about to obtain a master's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field, with excellent analytical skills, high grades, and prior experimental research experience in soft matter and rheology. Strong communication skills in English and a collaborative attitude are essential. The position offers a full-time PhD contract for four years, competitive salary, health insurance, access to university sports facilities, and participation in the Arenberg Doctoral School doctoral training program. KU Leuven provides an international, inclusive, and supportive research environment, with opportunities to present work at international conferences and access to world-class infrastructure. To apply, candidates should submit their CV, motivation letter, and grade lists via the KU Leuven online application tool, including contact details for two referees. In the motivation letter, specify your interest in either the bulk bijels or interfacial studies position. For further information, contact Prof. Ruth Cardinaels at [email protected].

This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on the development of MXene-based bijels for functional materials, specifically targeting electromagnetic shielding applications. The research will be conducted in the Soft Matter Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) section of the Chemical Engineering Department, under the supervision of Professor Ruth Cardinaels. The SMaRT group is renowned for its experimental research in complex fluids and soft matter, utilizing state-of-the-art and custom-built facilities for mechanical and microstructural characterization, including bulk and interfacial rheology, microscopy, and dielectric measurements. The project aims to formulate MXene-based bijels and investigate the fundamental factors influencing their microstructure, such as temperature and external flow fields. A key focus will be on the selective localization of MXene particles at liquid-liquid interfaces, enabling the creation of hierarchically structured materials with engineered properties. These conductive particles provide both mechanical stability and electrically conductive pathways, essential for electromagnetic shielding functionality. The research will explore how material formulation and processing conditions affect viscoelastic and dielectric properties, with the ultimate goal of producing bijels optimized for electromagnetic shielding. Main techniques employed will include particle synthesis, bulk rheology, microscopy, dielectric characterization, and electromagnetic shielding characterization. The project offers access to advanced experimental infrastructure, including commercial and in-house adapted 3D printing devices, and opportunities to present research at international conferences. Applicants should hold or be about to obtain a master's degree in chemical engineering, physics, or a related field, with excellent analytical skills, high grades, and prior experience in experimental research on soft matter and rheology. Strong communication skills in English and the ability to collaborate within a diverse team are essential. The position is full-time for four years, with a competitive salary, health insurance, access to university sports facilities, and participation in the Arenberg Doctoral School doctoral training program. KU Leuven offers an inclusive and international working environment in the innovative city of Leuven, located centrally in Europe. To apply, candidates must submit their CV, motivation letter, and grade lists via the online application tool, and provide contact details for at least two senior researchers willing to write recommendation letters. For further information, contact Prof. Ruth Cardinaels at [email protected].

This PhD position focuses on developing a simulation-integrated strategy for polymers in integrated circuit (IC) packaging, hosted jointly at KU Leuven and TU Eindhoven. The research will be conducted within the Soft Matter Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) section of KU Leuven's Chemical Engineering Department and the Processing and Performance of Materials (P&P) section of TU Eindhoven's Mechanical Engineering Department. Supervision is provided by Prof. Lambèrt van Breemen and Prof. Ruth Cardinaels, with industrial collaboration from IMEC, a leading R&D hub in nanoelectronics. The project aims to address the challenges of polymer-based IC packaging and polymer redistribution layers (PRLs), which are critical for microchip durability, electrical connectivity, and electromagnetic shielding. Increasing microchip complexity and miniaturization demand defect-free molding and patterning, but issues such as thermal expansion, shrinkage, and mechanical stresses can cause warpage and failure. The research will develop a simulation-integrated toolbox to improve polymer material formulation, processing steps, and microchip design. Experimental characterization of mechanical, dielectric, and electromagnetic properties will inform analytical models predicting intrinsic material behavior. These models will be implemented in a simulation framework, enabling finite element-based predictions of material response at the microchip level. The framework will be applied to case studies focusing on mechanical robustness, shape stability during thermal cycling, and electromagnetic shielding integration in IC packaging. Applicants should have or be about to obtain a master's degree in materials science engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Strong analytical skills, high grades, creativity, and a background in polymer characterization and/or numerical modeling are required. Fluency in English and willingness to spend time at both universities are essential. The position offers a full-time PhD contract for four years, competitive salary, health insurance, sports facilities, holiday and year-end allowance, commuting and internet cost allowance, and participation in the Arenberg Doctoral School doctoral training program. Upon successful completion, candidates will receive PhD degrees from both KU Leuven and TU Eindhoven. The research environment is international and multidisciplinary, with access to state-of-the-art experimental infrastructure and advanced numerical modeling tools. Candidates will have opportunities to present their work at international conferences and develop teaching and coaching skills. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, providing support for accessibility and a respectful academic environment. Applications should be submitted via the KU Leuven job portal and the corresponding TU Eindhoven vacancy. Screening continues until the position is filled. For further information, contact Prof. Lambèrt van Breemen or Prof. Ruth Cardinaels by email.

PhD opportunity at KU Leuven in Simulation-Integrated Strategy for Polymers in Integrated Circuit Packaging (ref. BAP-2026-322). This research project is hosted in the Soft Matter Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) section of the Chemical Engineering Department at KU Leuven , with joint supervision from the Processing and Performance of Materials (P&P) section in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Eindhoven University of Technology . The project sits at the intersection of polymer science , chemical engineering , materials science , mechanical engineering , and simulation , with a focus on polymers for integrated circuit packaging . It is a research-oriented PhD opening rather than a scholarship programme. Supervisors: Prof. Lambèrt van Breemen and Prof. Ruth Cardinaels. Eligibility / interests: Candidates with interest in polymers, soft matter rheology, materials processing, and performance are likely to fit well. The post does not specify detailed entry requirements, funding package, or language-test waivers in the excerpt provided. How to apply: Follow the KU Leuven vacancy link for the full job description and application instructions. Submit your application through the official portal linked in the post.